Be Prepared for a Pet Emergency

Be Prepared for a Pet Emergency

Ally10/12/2014

It’s a fact of life, especially in Australia - emergencies happen. Whether it’s a storm or natural disaster, medical issue or a situation that requires evacuation from the house, it’s great to have a plan in place so that you and your family are ready to act safely if there’s an issue.

At the bottom of the page I’ve compiled a printable Emergency Guide for you as a pet sitter or pet owner to have filled out so that it can be easily referred to in case of any problems. You can also fill in the Pawshake Intake Form (from my 10 Questions to Ask A Pet Owner post) which has places to write personalised emergency contacts.

Putting together an Emergency kit for yourself and for your pets is a fantastic idea. According to DEPI Victoria, a good pet emergency kit should include:

Food and water containers

Leads, crates or carriers

Food and water for a minimum three days

An information list including your name, address and phone numbers, your pets name, description (a photo would be a good idea) and care requirements

Pet first aid items and essential medications

Pet medical history, vaccination certificate and veterinary contacts

Blankets, towels and bedding

Pet registration, identification and licensing records

Litter trays and litter for cats.

Don’t forget to also keep all of your emergency numbers handy. For ease of reference, I’ve compiled a few common services and hotlines here so you can add them to your list. Stay safe this summer!

Australia-Wide 24 Hours Emergency

Emergency Police, Fire or Ambulance Service: 000

SES for storm, flood or disaster assistance: 132 500

State-Wide 24 Hours Vet Emergency

If you’re pet sitting, your client should have supplied you with their preferred vet’s phone number beforehand.If there is a serious medical issue with any pet, get them to the nearest vet immediately.If you’re worried, but not sure if your pet requires immediate medical attention, call one of these 24 hour vet clinics in your area for triage advice.

Pet First Aid

Animal Poisons Advice

These websites are not to be used instead of a veterinary professional’s advice! If the animal has eaten anything that’s not its own food, keep a close eye on them, and contact one of the emergency vet hotlines above if you have ANY worries or the pet shows any discomfort. (Unfortunately the Poisons Information Centre Hotlines in all states don't provide information about animal poisons.)

Guide to Pet Safety - Pet Poison Helpline - Note that this is an American website, so the phone number listed is not available to Australians. They have a lot of very useful information available on their website however!

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